Burnie Wynyard Catholic Parish

05/06/2026

With sadness in our hearts we say our prayers and farewell to our well-loved priest of the Archdiocese of Hobart, Fr Michael Tate.
Till we meet again.

It is with great sadness that we announce that Fr Michael Tate AO, Parish Priest at South Hobart, died around lunchtime today at Calvary Hospital Lenah Valley.

Please join us in praying for the repose of his soul. We give thanks to God for his life and ministry to the faithful of Tasmania and to the broader community.

Archbishop Tony Ireland administered the “Last Rites” to Fr Michael not long before he died.

“In many ways Fr Michael was one of a kind, gifted intellectually, a powerful communicator, and an extraordinarily generous and faithful pastor who loved his people,” Archbishop Ireland said.

Fr Michael had a long and prestigious career in both law and politics before becoming a Catholic priest later in life.

He was born on 6 July 1945 in Sydney and educated at St Virgil’s College Hobart.

He studied law at the University of Tasmania, graduating with First Class Honours in 1968 and went on to obtain a master’s degree in theology from the University of Oxford in 1971.

He lectured in law at the University of Tasmania from 1972 to 1978 and was the Dean of Faculty from 1977 to 1978.

In 1977 his political career began when he was elected to the Senate representing Tasmania. He served as the Minister for Justice for the Hawke and Keating governments from 1987 to 1993.

In 1994 he was appointed as Australia’s Ambassador to the Holy See and to the Hague.

In 1996 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to Australia.

He was awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Tasmania and Charles Sturt University.

As he left his diplomatic post at the Vatican, he told Pope John Paul II that he would begin studying for the Catholic priesthood.

He was ordained a priest by Archbishop Adrian Doyle on 19 May 2000 at St Mary’s Cathedral in Hobart.

Fr Michael served as Parish Priest at Bridgewater-Brighton, Sandy Bay, Huon Valley, and South Hobart. He also served the Archdiocese as a Consultor, a member of the Council of priests, and for a time as Vicar General.

In 2010 he was appointed Tasmania's first Parliamentary Standards Commissioner.

He was the founder of the popular Way to St James Cygnet, an annual pilgrimage through the picturesque Huon Valley.

Funeral arrangements for Fr Michael will be announced in the coming days.

Rest in peace Fr Michael.

(Photo: Nick Osborne)

05/06/2026

This week’s message

04/06/2026

Archbishop Tony's Pastoral Letter

Archbishop Tony Ireland will be releasing his first Pastoral Letter to the faithful of Tasmania on the Feast of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Sunday 7 June.

The letter is titled, ‘Pilgrims of the Eucharist: Towards the International Eucharistic
Congress Sydney 2028’.

We invite you to take a copy of the letter home with you. Copies can be found in the foyer of our churches starting this weekend.

31/05/2026

Please register your interest for a seat by Monday 1st June by email: [email protected]

or Ph: 6331 4377 during office hours.

The bus/van will depart Church of the Apostles at 9:00 am and donations on the day will be welcomed. Please also note that parking is available for your vehicles in the car park adjacent to the Church of the Apostles.

Walk for Christ - Sunday 7 June, Hobart.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Hobart is organising
transport to take parishioners from the North-
West and North to attend the Walk for Christ
next Sunday.
Please register your interest for a seat by Monday 1st June by email: [email protected] or Ph: 6331 4377 during office hours.
The bus/van will depart Church of the Apostles at 9:00 am and donations on the day will be welcomed. Please also note that parking is available for your vehicles in the car park adjacent to the Church of the Apostles.

31/05/2026

Reflection on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

The Most Holy Trinity readings this week remind us that God’s love is present for all of us, drawing us into unity with Him and with one another. When Jesus is talking to Nicodemus, who was “a Pharisee and a leader of the Jews” (John 3:1). He was educated, respected, and knowledgeable about God—but he sensed something more in Jesus. His journey represents us all in a way, from curiosity, uncertainty, learning, awakening and believing. A true transformation took place, when Jesus was explaining that “God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son” it is about the relationship God wants us to have with Him through Jesus.

When Moses went to proclaim The Commandments on the mountain, God was present with him, and this is not a wrathful God or an entity to be afraid of. Moses shows us a loving God, rich in kindness and faithfulness. This is what God wants us to give to each other and for us to pass on these traits, our inheritance is beyond material wealth. His great love. God did more than reveal Himself, so He gave his only Son to save us. Then as scripture tells us, he was sacrificed for our sins. The unity of the Trinity is completed in the Holy Spirit, with fellowship, strength and love, guiding us into communion with God and each other.

By reading St. Paul’s closing statement this Sunday, and to live and share in this, is to participate in something truly divine—a unity that we are called not only to receive, but to invite others into. Please remember that although we are all different, we are one in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

- Peter Beskin-Clark

30/05/2026

The Bell of St. Brigid's

29/05/2026

As our forebearers once gathered in faith to celebrate the first Mass at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, so too, do we gather tomorrow evening in thanksgiving and joy and celebrate the vigil mass for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.

More than a century later, we continue the enduring story of a church built not only of stone, but of faith, sacrifice, and community.

What began with the hopes and prayers of those who came before us, continues to live on through each generation that calls St. Brigid’s home.

As they gathered to mark a new beginning, we now gather to honour their legacy and celebrate the living faith that still unites our parish family today.

Bring a plate and share your stories with us tomorrow after the 5pm Vigil Mass.

28/05/2026

The Walk with Christ Eucharistic Procession in Hobart on Sunday 7th of June.

A bus will depart from the Church of the Apostles, Launceston at 9:00 am and return in the late afternoon.

Free parking is available in the CatholicCare car park beside the Church of the Apostles.

If you would like to join the bus transport from Launceston to Hobart, please inform the parish office by Sunday, 31st of May 2026.

We invite you to join the Walk with Christ Eucharistic Procession this coming 7th of June in Hobart.